Olin offers the support, flexibility and services students need for a successful, well-rounded college experience — from a wide-range of clubs and activities to academic advising and health care.
Introduction
Olin College takes student development one step further with the Learning Continuum. While nearly every college in America offers academic courses and student organizations, seldom is much thought given to the unstructured zone between the curriculum and extra-curriculum, or the connections between them. At Olin, we have given this zone a lot of thought and have worked hard to create a seamless learning environment where student learning is understood through the student’s whole experience. In this sense, we do not see learning as contained to one class, a summer internship or a leadership opportunity. Instead, we expect these experiences to build on each other and to flow from one area of a student’s life to another.
The Olin College Learning Continuum consists of courses, undergraduate research opportunities with faculty, non-degree credit Passionate Pursuits, transcript noted Co-Curricular Offerings, community service, committee work or other service to the college, clubs and organizations, recreation and post-graduate planning. The Student Affairs team encourages student participation along the full range of opportunities in the Learning Continuum and works to foster connections among the elements on the continuum.
Academic Life at Olin College
As stated in its founding precepts, Olin College was created on the belief that the students’ experience here would be different than that offered at other institutions. “Academic Life,” represented by our Learning Continuum, is the manifestation of that belief. Olin fosters a seamless learning environment, across contexts and over time, which includes intellectual, social, personal, professional, and academic development. This culture of Academic Life is evidenced through both structure and operation and prioritizes the integration of learning across the many settings in which students engage. This holistic learning occurs from admission through graduation, and into the professional world. It is sustained by the collaborative relationships between faculty and staff that support student learning, with the mission to educate the next generation of innovators who want to better the world.
Courses
Courses provide the foundation for Olin’s academic program and are organized into interconnected themes that create the overall structure of the Olin curriculum; they define the engineering toolbox our students need to have a positive impact in the real world.
Research
Faculty members generally advertise research opportunities at course fairs. If you are interested in doing research in a particular area, you should approach a faculty member in that area to see if they have any research openings in their research program. In addition to research projects that are regularly offered by faculty, students have the opportunity to design their own research projects, under the guidance of a faculty member. Students who have their own ideas for research projects should contact a faculty member with appropriate expertise to discuss their ideas.
Co-curricular offerings
Co-curricular offerings are (1) non-credit activities combining fun and intellectual awareness, (2) scheduled for a limited time (e.g., one semester), (3) led by a staff or faculty member or by a student working in concert with a faculty/ staff member, and (4) funded by the Student Affairs and Resources office. They differ from curricular offerings in that they are not graded and attendance is not strictly enforced. They differ from extra-curricular activities in that they have an intellectual component, faculty/staff leadership and limited lifespan.
Community service
One of the guiding missions of Olin College is to instill a spirit and practice of “giving back” among students through significant and ongoing service to the community. Philanthropy was the central force in the F. W. Olin Foundation since its inception and Olin College is committed to supporting and continuing this tradition among its students, faculty and staff. Olin College encourages community service by providing financial support and reserving time dedicated to community service weekly in the schedule.
Passionate pursuits
Success, whether personal or more widely recognized, occurs most often in those who have a passion for their work. Olin believes that learning to be passionate about one’s work, to persevere through difficult times, and to enjoy play freely, are all tremendously important life lessons. In contrast to most educational institutions, we actively and explicitly promote this integrated approach to learning, work and life. Our support of passionate pursuits promotes the idea that hobbies can be more than pastimes — they can become gateways to life-long learning and passionate endeavors. This is one of many ways in which Olin College gives acknowledgement to well roundedness and personal initiative.
A Passionate Pursuit is an intellectual or scholarly activity in which students propose a semester-long project, solicit faculty participation and establish objectives (i.e., learning goals, a deliverable and/or a presentation or performance) that constitute satisfactory completion of the pursuit.
Post-Graduate Planning
The Office of Post-Graduate Planning works closely with students and alumni in making connections with desirable employer organizations in industry and the strongest graduate school institutions. Through internships and research experiences, students attain real-world experience that prepares them to make lifelong contributions to society. The PGP office presents programs that involve graduate school discussions with faculty and alumni, workshops on resumes, portfolios, and LinkedIn profiles, interview preparation and one-on-one job-search and graduate school counseling. Students and alumni are exposed to prestigious fellowships and scholarships, and are coached on how to present the strongest applications
Religious services and organizations
Olin welcomes communities for people of all faiths. Olin strives to create a safe place for those who wish to explore spirituality in ways that are both familiar and new and challenging. Students wishing to explore faith and spirituality in community may do so by joining numerous student clubs connected to various faiths and religious practices, by connecting with resources provided through Babson's Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL). If you would like help finding additional off-campus resources or places of worship, contact the Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access.
Residence life
The residence life team aims to provide a safe and supportive environment that promotes academic success, personal development, and involvement in campus life. We support the college’s commitment to revolutionize engineering education by creating a seamless connection between experiences inside the classroom and life in the residence halls.
Student government and student clubs and organizations
The Olin College Student Body is organized and structured, as outlined in the Olin Student Constitution, into four Student Experience Organizations. The purpose of each outlined Student Experience Organization is unique, each with mission and principal responsibilities/duties entrusted to them. Each of these organizations is deemed vital to the education and college experience of the Student Body, insofar as each addresses an aspect of Olin’s central philosophies, founding precepts, and goals. The four Student Experience Organizations at Olin include the Council of Olin Representatives (CORe), the Honor Board, the organization to Support, Encourage, and Recognize Volunteerism (SERV), and the Student Activities Organization (SAO).
Sports and Recreation
Olin recognizes that there is a direct relationship between one’s well-being, learning and regular exercise. In order to support these relationships Olin has established a variety of programs and resources including residence hall gyms, intramural sports at Babson College and Wellesley College, club sports teams, and access to athletic facilities at Babson College. The resources and programs are intended to promote short-term and long-term opportunities for staying physically active.